Social workers today walked out in support of two colleagues suspended over the case of child cruelty victim John Smith.

More than 100 city council workers staged a two-hour protest outside council offices in Hove claiming Dave Pamely and John Barrow had wrongly been singled out for not preventing John's death.

The two men regularly saw bruising on John before he died but did not seek medical help for him.

They have been suspended and officials of public sector union Unison fear they will be made scapegoats and could face the sack.

Branch spokesman Alex Knutson said: "Members are very angry that Dave and John have been singled out in this way.

"This is unofficial action and we have made sure there is emergency cover while we are out here protesting.

"There is a very strong feeling that an official strike will be called after a ballot of members if the two social workers involved are sacked, as it is believed they will be."

Child protection worker Dave Fellows said any of the city's social workers could have found themselves in the same position as Mr Pamely and Mr Barrow.

He said: "It is the way the council runs its social services which has caused the problems which resulted in John's death."

Social worker Lina Ksendziuk said: "We are totally demoralised by the job cuts and high workloads we are having to deal with.

"The council has cut our budget by £350,000 to make up for shortfalls in other areas and has imposed a jobs freeze.

"Allan Bowman, the director of social services, has said that social workers are not carrying out the procedures properly.

"We have so much work that we cannot keep up with it. Is it any wonder that procedures are not being followed?"

A council spokesperson said: "The leader of the council and the strategic director of social care and health offered to meet a delegation from the protesting social workers yesterday. This offer was refused.

"We are, however, pleased to hear they have agreed to a future meeting.

"The independent report into the conduct of the agencies leading up to the death of four-year-old John Anthony Smith specifically says that the key issue wasn't about resources, but about the failings of individual professionals.

"We have a duty to inquire further into this before considering what further action if any we may take."

Yesterday Mr Bowman said: "I recognise the union's desire to defend its members but when they have read the inquiry report into the case they may not feel as strongly as they do."